Hellebores or Lenten roses are prized for their flowers which appear in late winter or early spring and are often the first flowers to appear in the Chicago garden. The purple Christmas rose hellebore is native to the Carpathian mountains of central Europe where it grows in full sun in open grassy meadows. In general it grows into a low mound about twelve inches tall and wide. The foliage is leathery and dark with serrated leaflets that are evergreen throughout the winter except in extremely cold locations. The purple Christmas rose bears stems of 4-7 two-inch five-petaled flowers that are purple with some variation, but often with a smoky or metallic appearance.

Hellebores prefer cool, moist soils with a high organic content but are very adaptable requiring only that the site be well-drained. Typically they are planted in woodland settings under deciduous trees where they receive full sun in winter and early spring but are protected in hotter months. The entire plant contains chemicals that are toxic to humans but makes them unappealing to deer and other wildlife. Choose your site carefully as hellebores do not like be moved or disturbed once planted.